What technical information must a QSA maintain secured for PCI compliance?

The requirement for a QSA to maintain secured technical information for PCI compliance emphasizes the importance of safeguarding sensitive data that is inherent to the assessment process. Audit results and work papers hold significant value as they document the findings of the security assessment, including vulnerabilities and compliance levels with PCI DSS standards. Keeping these documents secured is crucial because they contain insights on how an organization handles cardholder data and related security processes, which, if compromised, could lead to security breaches or exploitation.

In the context of PCI compliance, these audit results and work papers need to be protected to ensure confidentiality and maintain the integrity of the findings. This protects not only the organization being assessed but also the QSA’s credibility and the overall security landscape of payment card transactions.

Other options, while relevant in different contexts, do not align with the specific technical focus required for PCI compliance assessments. Personnel records, for instance, are not directly tied to the technical evaluation needed for understanding PCI compliance. Marketing strategies do not pertain to security practices or compliance, hence they are not a focus for a QSA. Similarly, system architecture diagrams, although important in understanding an organization's IT environment, do not encompass the specific audit findings that are critical for maintaining secure compliance documentation distinctively required by PCI DSS standards.